Heat-controlled window-closure.



PATENTED OGT. 16, 1906.

\ '1. LEE. HEAT CONTROLLED WINDOW CLOSURE.

APILIOATIOH FILED HAY 31, 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1 906.

Application filed May 31,1906. Serial No. 319,444.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS LEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Home City, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have in vented certain new and useful Improve ments in Heat-Controlling Window-Closures; and I do declare the following to be a clear,

full, and exact description of the invention,

purpose of holding the windows open; These devices last mentioned comprise usually chains, hangers, catches, knobs, 850., part of which consists of fusible metal or in case of a chain contains a link of such metal, which melts when exposed to a certain heat, thus releasing the window which, having a normal tendency to remain in a closed position, assumes such position automatically. As at present arranged the devices containing these fusible links are generally provided on the inside of the windows, where they promptly act in case of a fire inside of the building. In case of a fire on the outside they act less reliably, because less exposed to the heat, and therefore the main object of these windows to form a bar to a progressive fire is thusfrequently interfered with by their failure to close promptly.

The object of my invention is to arrange such heat-controlled means in a certain manner and in connection with movable windowsashes, so that these latter will promptly close automatically, and particularly when the fire is on the outside of the building.

. In the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end thereof is found a full description of 'my invention, including its operation, parts, and

construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 in a vertical central section of a window and frame shows my invention used in connection with sliding sashes. Fig. 2 in a similar view shows my invention used in connection with a swlnging sash. F1g. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the upper part of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the middle portion of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 in a perspective detail view shows a modification of my invention. a

In the drawings, 10 indicates the wall of a building provided with windowopenings. These openings contain the window-frames, permanently and immovably set within these openings. cates the lower horizontal part or sill, 13 the upright parts, and 14 the top or upper part. These frames are filled out with the sashes, which may be stationary-that is, non-opening-as shown at 15 for the lower sash in Fig; 2, or fitted with sliding sashes, as shown at 16 in Fig. 1, or with swinging sashes, as shown at 17 in Fig. 2, for the upper sash. Sometimes a stationary sash and a In the frame shown, 12 indimovable one are combined in one frame, as

shown in Fig. 2, where the lower sash '15 is stationary and the upper one, 17, is movable. The same conditions might exist in the case shown in Fig. 1--that is, a stationary sash might be combined with one of the sliding ones. In either case the arrangement and distributon of weight in the movable sashes is such that they have a normal tendency to remain in a'closed position. Thus, for instance, in Fig. 1 one sash is heavier and connected to the other sash by a chain 18, passing over a roller 19, so that this heavier sash while sliding into its cl ing position acts also as a weight for closing the lighter one. In the swinging sash this tendency to close automatically may be produced by the particular location of pivot 21. The means for holding these movable sashes open consist in each case of chains 22 or of equivalent means which connect on the inside to the movable sash and when the sash is open are hooked into hooks 23, also on the inside, so as to hold the sash open. In Fig. 1-, chain 22 passes over a roller 24 and connects to the inner one of the two sashes, which is supposed to be the heavier one. In Fig. 2, chain 22 connects to the swinging sash above pivot 21 of the same.

I provide in each case a fusible member 25 in connection with each chain 22, which member may also be one of the links of the latter and whereby automatic closure of the sashes in case of a fire is obtained. However, by reason of the particular location of these links 25, as determined by the position of chains 22, they are less susceptible to the influence of heat of a fire on the outside of the building and can only be relied upon for prompt action when the fire is on the inside. To obtain the same results in case of a fire on the outside, I provide fusible members 26 on the outside of the building, and by means of a flexible connection 27, preferably in form of.

a short chain, I connect these members 26 with chains 22 in such a manner that when said chains are engaged and under strain for holding open their respective sashes this strain is also transferred onto these short chains 27 and onto the fusible members 26, so that in case these latter are destroyed these short chains are released, thus terminating also the action of chains 22 to hold the sashes open. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3 t is chain 27 may connect to chain 22 at its highest point or it may support roller 24 thereat. In the case shown in Figs. 2 and 4 this chain 27 may connect to hook 23, to which chain 22 is engaged when holding the sash open, so that in each case the strain of chain 22 is transmitted to the chain 27 and to fusible member 26. It will now be seen that in case this latter is destroyed chains 27 will become detached and release chains 22. In case of the sliding sash (shown in Fig. 1) the heavier sash, together with chain 22, will drop, thus closing the window. The swinging sash in Fig. 2 will swing shut. By reason of the location of the parts an opening 28 becomes necessary in one of the permanent parts of the window structure to permit chains 27 to connect chains 22 on the inside of the building to these fusible members 26 on the outside. In the case shown in Figs. 1 and 3 this opening is in the upper window-frame part 14. In the conditions shown in Figs. 2 and 4 it is in the upper sash-rail 29 of the lower stationary sash 1 5, the sash-rail being in this case the equivalent of the sill of a surrounding window-frame. To prevent possible interference with the prompt movement of chain 27 when slipping through opening 28 after its release by members 26, it is preferable to inclose these links or to have them surrounded by a tube 31, which forms the passage for them, and which tube is provided in the frame parts mentioned-that is, in parts 14 and 29, respectively. Fusible members 26 are at the outer end of these tubes, so as to be on the outside of the window-frames, and

chain 27 pass through them and at their inner ends effect connection with chains 22.

In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, where chain 27 connects to hook-23, which holds chain 22 when the window is open, a cap 32 may be interposed, which is fitted to the inner end of tube 31 and to which, on one side, hook 23 connects, while link 27 connects on the other side.

Quick and reliable action takes place in all "cases, because the fusible connection remains always on the outside and its position is not affected in a manner to impair its effectiveness by any changes in the position or adjustment of the sashes. This is because of its location on the outside of a permanent and immovable part of the window structure. After destruction of this connection the open sash drops instantly, because the released chain 27 slips quickly and freely inwardly and by its flexibility prevents any retardation due to binding in the tube Having described my invention, I claim as new 1. In combination with the permanent parts of awindow-casing, one of which has a transverse perforation open at opposite ends, a window-sash having a tendency to close; a chain attached to the sash for manipulating it; means for securing the chain in position to hold the sash open, and an auxiliary chainsection passing through said perforation and secured thereto at its outer end by a fusible connection and at its inner end to the firstmentioned chain.

2. In window construction, the combination of an outer frame permanently and immovably set in a window-opening, a sash fitted into this frame and supported in a manner to have a normal tendency to remain in a closed position, a tube set into this frame in a position close to the adjacent edge of the sash and open at both ends, a chain connected to the sash for the purpose of manipulating and holding it open, a flexible connection, contained in the tube mentioned connected at one of its ends to the chainfirst mentioned, and a fusible fastening provided at the outer end of the tube to which the other end of the short chain connects.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS LEE. Witnesses:

C. SPENGEL, T. Ln BEAU. 

